Don’t get to see many test matches as exciting as this one, Ponting played a wonderful captains inning and truly deserved the man of the match.

Don't forget

Ye hai England meri jaan!

That test match rocked !

I'm beginning to worry about England coming to Pakistan now...

Very true Iqbal bhai

No worries Akhtar bhai, the team has had a good rest and with Shoaib and our other main bowlers back the bowling should be fine. The batting lineup needs to get sorted out, they still don't have a solid opening pair.

OK Guys (are there no gal cricket fans on this forum?)


Absolutely no question about it. The last two tests in the current Ashes series were absolute gems.

What are your predictions for the 4th test commencing today? Akhtar, Iqbal, Vivek, Princeali, others, any guesses which way will it go?


Anil

England will be tough nut to crack. McGrath is missing this one I guess (so this means probably two changes in Australian bowling attack. Shaun Tait coming in for out-of-form Gillespie and Kasporowicz coming in for McGrath). I think England have an upper hand. It will be good for test cricket if England manage to win the Ashes...

Cheers,

Vivek

Just heard that McGrath is in!!!!!!!!!


Anil

Wow!!! Good for Australia. Looking forward to Shaun Tait. Have been reading quite a bit on him...

Cheers,

McGrath failed late fitness test. Shows how desperate Aussies were to get him in. Not their fault after what they have seen in last two test matches. England won the toss and elected to bat...

From Cricinfo...



Cheers,

Vivek

My post was based on mid-day TV news here in Sydney, which quoted Ricky Ponting as saying MacGrath was in.


What a great start by England ! Lousy English weather - dont the rain gods know that there is an important cricket match on!


Anil

Yes Anil I think it was last minute decision to leave McGrath out. Ponting surely would have wanted him to play. Tait is bowling consistently above 90s but control is missing.

Interesting start but for rains...

England players would be singing:

"Rain Rain Go Away,
Little Pommies want to play"

Cheers,

The latest from Trent Bridge


FOURTH TEST - MATCH SUMMARY (Trent Bridge, Day 1, Rain stopped play):

England 134-1 v Australia

Marcus Trescothick hit a fluent 65 not out but England's bright start was checked by inclement weather, tea being taken and a resumption set for 1530.

Rain delayed the start of the afternoon session by an hour and only three overs were possible before some charcoal grey skies brought more rain, England 134-1.

Trescothick hit Shane Warne for a straight six but was fortunate on 55 as he played on to a Brett Lee no-ball.

Andrew Strauss was given out by the third umpire caught at slip via a boot.

Anilji – The Piano Man Saga



'Piano Man psychotic' says lawyer

The lawyer for the "Piano Man" has told the BBC his client was suffering a psychotic episode in the months he spent in silence in a Kent hospital.

Christian Baumann has also said that Andreas Grassl's actions were not "an act of deliberate deception".

Reports had cast doubt on his condition after Mr Grassl found his voice, revealed his identity and went home.

Questions have been raised as to why no inquiries were made when his parents in Bavaria, Germany, reported him missing.

They were told because he was an adult nothing could be done to find him, something the National Missing Persons Helpline in the UK said must change.

Co-founder Mary Asprey added: "When we first started our charity authorities were not very keen at looking for adults.

"But the police have learned that age shouldn't make a difference because people can be vulnerable at any age."

Mrs Asprey said a European database for missing people would not have helped in Mr Grassl's case because "you need a name and strong descriptive details of the person, something the authorities did not have".

There have also been suggestions the health trust may sue for tens of thousands of pounds but NHS chiefs have not commented.

Mr Baumann said: "It wasn't intended as an act of deliberate deception.

"He was suffering a psychotic episode - part of a psychotic illness."

According to health experts, people who experience psychotic episodes lose contact with reality and often suffer hallucinations and delusions.

Mr Grassl's father has declined to speak to reporters.

Health workers 'stunned'

The identity of the Piano Man had baffled carers for four months.

Andreas Grassl, 20, from Prosdorf, Germany, was taken to a Kent hospital after he was found on a beach in
April.

He was unable to speak to health workers, but reportedly stunned them with his brilliant piano playing.

However, newspaper reports have suggested he was only able to play one note continuously.

Mr Baumann has been reported as saying that "he didn't speak, but he certainly did play piano".

He said Mr Grassl had been suffering from severe depression when he was found on 7 April and had not
staged his months of silence.

West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust would not comment further on the case because of patient confidentiality.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4182926.stm

Thanks for that Iqbal. I was really intrigued with this story.

Did you get a chance to watch any cricket yesterday?

Anil

Anil bhai,

I wish McGrath was playing in this test because he is one bowler who can make a difference in crucial matches. Just his presence alone makes their attack look stronger.

It was great to see Tait finally get his green cap and showed that his inclusion in the squad was the right choice by getting two wickets.

I think England needs another 200 odd runs to put up a challenge. Hoping for some good cricket in the next few days !.

Cheers

Ali

Only managed to catch the highlight’s, too many catches dropped by the Australian team.


Looking favourably for England at the moment...

451-8

Flintoff may be given city honour

Andrew Flintoff could become the first person to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Preston this century.


The all-rounder would be honoured for his "services and accomplishments in the field of cricket" if the city council approves the plans on Thursday.
Only 22 people were given the honour in the last century, including footballer Sir Tom Finney in 1979 and animator Nick Park in 1997.
Mayor Bikhu Patel said Flintoff is an excellent ambassador and role model.
England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has called the 27-year-old, nicknamed Freddie, a sporting hero.

Man of match

He was named Man of the Match after England's fourth Test victory over Australia at Trent Bridge.
The Prestonian was a pupil at Greenland County Primary School and Ribbleton High School, now called City of Preston High.
The honour has no real privileges and is regarded as an award to men or women of note who have lived or worked in the city.
Freemen take precedence on ceremonial occasions, such as Remembrance Sunday, when they are allowed to walk ahead of councillors in processions.
In the 1800s freemen were given ancient privileges and were allowed to herd their sheep on Moor Park.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/4203610.stm

I'm really looking forward to the next test, but will be at school so I won't be able to follow

Everyone’s looking forward to the final test match after 3 consecutive nailbiting endings.

Seems as if England are feeling very generous indeed....


England squad recall for Anderson
James Anderson
Anderson has played 12 Tests for England
Fast bowler James Anderson and all-rounder Paul Collingwood have been named in a 13-man England squad for the final Ashes Test at The Oval.

Chris Tremlett, who has been the 12th squad member all summer, has been dropped because of a lack of form.

Paceman Simon Jones, who is having intensive treatment on a troublesome ankle, is also named.

He will be re-assessed by the medical team on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's decider, England leading Australia 2-1.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said the news was encouraging about Jones, who has taken 18 wickets so far in four Ashes Tests.

James Anderson has big match experience with England
David Graveney

He told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "It's encouraging I haven't been told by our medical staff to write him off because he won't be fit.

"It's not a precise science and in the end it's only the individual that knows what he can and cannot do, but I know Michael (Vaughan) and Duncan (Fletcher) will give him the maximum amount of time."

He added: "As Simon Jones is continuing to receive treatment on his injured ankle, we have decided to include both Paul Collingwood and James Anderson in the squad.

"This will enable us to cover all available options in terms of the balance of our final XI.

"Simon is continuing to make progress in his recovery from injury and we will give him as much time as he needs in order to prove his fitness.

"He will continue to receive treatment over the next 48 hours and be re-assessed by the medical team at practice on Tuesday."

Hampshire bowler Tremlett had been named in the squad for the previous four Tests only to be released back to his county.

He has struggled for form, grabbing four wickets in the matches against Sussex, Gloucestershire and Kent and two in the C&G Trophy final on Saturday.

Graveney said: "Chris Tremlett will be disappointed not to be included in the squad having been named in the XII for the first four Test matches.

"His involvement with the Test squad has meant limited opportunities for him with Hampshire in recent weeks and as a consequence we feel that he is not at the top of his game at present."

Collingwood was brought into the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston for 48 hours while conditions were assessed, before being released back to Durham.

He has played two Tests for England and performed well in the one-day series against Australia this summer.

Anderson has 12 Tests under his belt and has taken 51 wickets in the County Championship this season, at an average of 31.8.

Graveney said: "James Anderson has big-match experience with England and we feel that his inclusion in the squad will give the captain and coach another bowling option in the event of Simon Jones being unfit to play."

England need a draw or better to regain the Ashes for the first time since 1986.

The Oval is renowned for its batting-friendly pitch which could see England picking all-rounder Collingwood instead of Anderson if Jones is ruled out.

England have not gone through an Ashes series with an unchanged XI since 1884-85.

Jones won't be playing . Bad for England and good for Aussies. What say all? Can England hit the final nail?

Source: http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/engvaus/co...ory/218257.html

I hope they dont. We wont hear the end of it. "We beat the Aussies, manifest destiny, domination is ours". England are just poor at sports, and they always will be.

Same here ! Its just all over the sports channels, websites etc!

Like 'Bothams ashes' we still continue to hear of it ! Despite the fact that there have been much greater comebacks in the history of cricket!

Oh no !

Aussies all out

It was a clear blue sky man! This is a fix!

Today is the last day of the last test of a truly great series. The consensus of opinion is England should be able to draw this match and win back the Ashes.

However when Glen McGrath took 2 wickest in 2 balls , and nearly had a hat trick, it just was a reminder to us fans how many twists and turns there have been in this series.

Surely Australia should have included Stuart MacGill for ths test match!

YM - must have been a clear blue sky as I saw Australian players wearing sun glasses!!!!!

Anil

If Eng win the Ashes it will be a bigger disaster then Greece winning Euro 2004!

Flintoff has just been given out!! Yes!! In your face!!

With England 5 down, they will have to play very very cautiously. Australia, it seems have sniffed a chance.

Cheers,

Vivek


When Australia sniff a chance, they go all out for it. What venom there was in Brett Lee's last over before lunch.

Yes I agree, this series is still not over yet!!!!!!!!


Anil

Now that the Aus opening pair have clicked, you think that if the Aussies had to chase a total of 150-200 in 20 overs, do you see them doing it? I think they will man!! If they dont then God help the ppl in bbm... joke, joke, did not mean that

YM


If the Australian bowlers knock of the 2 batsmen at the crease, and the bowlers who will follow them for say 200, they will have more than 20 overs to get the required runs.

The other factors in the equation is rain and light conditons. I dont know how it is there today.

Literally a nail-biting finish to thw whole series!!!!!!!!!


Anil

It wont rain and even if they offered the light to the Aussies they wont take it methinks.

Lee was bowling at express speed and Pieterson made it a point to force Ponting to pull him out of the attack. Now that is attitude.

However bad or good that may sound but I still think, though Aussies have a chance, England will save this.

Cheers,

Pietersen turning on the heat, guys! Lee's coming at him at 95-mph, and the ball's leaving the bat at 100! Great counter-attack from Pietersen.

I agree Vivek. Kevin Pietersen who thilled us in the one dayers is playing the most important innings of his short test career.

I'll stick my neck out and say that England have won the Ashes.

Coming right on the back of 5 successive test defeats of the Wallabies at the hands of the All Blacks and the Springboks in rugby union, this will be a bad blow for the Australians who delight in their sporting prowess!



Anil

... not to forget the whacking their best tennis bet, Hewitt, continues to get from Federer...

Rom

Actually I was going to mention his loss to Federer but deliberately left it out. Apart from his come ons and other antics which do get people offside, he does give his best.

These days losing to Federer is sort of like " a dog bites a man, that is not news". Now if Agasse had won today, what superlatives the American media would have come up with!


Anil

Yes, isnt' Federer just amazing! But Hewitt gave him a fight, and so in the fourth set Federer seemed rather cross and suddenly raised his game. And when he does that, nobody has an answer to it. No wonder Agassi called him the best player he's ever played! To me, he's already one of the greatest ever, and his record when he's done will probably prove that he's the best ever...

As for this match, seems Pietersen has given England the edge now... let's see if the Aussies can make a supreme effort one final time in the series!

And now Warne's sent back Collingwood, first over after drinks! Heading for a thrilling finish...

Jones out for 1, England now 209-7, lead by 215 runs.

Heading for another great ending to the match and series!

And Pietersen's got his ton... one of the best innings of recent times... Wickets falling around him, great pressure by the Aussise, and he stands up and gives them a dose of their own medicine! Great job.
Tea with England 227 ahead, three to go... 49 overs left for the day, so a result is still possible. England hold upper hand, though...

Game up for Australia, it seems. England lead by over 260, Pietersen still there bashing the Aussies. He's on 125 off 151, 10 fours and six sixers! He's thrashing Warne now. This guy has some nerves!

Yups!!! Its all over. England has taken the series.

Cheers,

Yes... Warne did his bit, and on a fifth-day pitch, perhaps more could have been expected of him. But four-for any day is great, and then the Aussies were dealing with Pietersen at his best, a man who plays their own game...
And Warne would all his life regret the sitter he dropped off Pietersen when the batsman hadn't scored many...

Yes - Looking very much England's way now.

And to think he could have been easily out the first ball he faced. Pietersen is still there on 138.

Yes, England almost certainly has won the ashes. I can see on the TV screen, a spectator in the stands opening up a bottle of champagne!

Its been a long time between drinks for English cricket fans and the Barmy Army will certainly enjoy this one.


Anil (wide awake at 1:40am)

I hope Pietersen goes on to score a double century to finish the series in style.

Surely this is Englands match now ?

Giles is providing the stubborn resistance which his batting has become known for.

Pietersen finally sent back by McGrath... but what an innings!
29 overs to go for the day, England 314 ahead. Pietersen's done his job well today. First Ashes defeat for all these Aussie cricketers... amazing! Not a great send-off for seniors like McGrath, Warne...